Gwangalli Beach has been under the shadow of Haeundae for a long time. But it has recently become the hottest area of Busan thanks to hip cafes, weekly drone shows, the famous Busan Fireworks Festival, and more.
Additionally, Gwangan Bridge (Gwangandaegyo) is the most recognized landmark of Busan. And Gwangalli Beach is the best place to enjoy this beautiful bridge over the horizon of the ocean.
Find out how you can enjoy Gwangalli Beach to the fullest.
On This Post
- Information about Gwangalli Beach & Gwangan Bridge
- Things to Do in Gwangalli Beach
- Festivals at Gwangalli Beach
- Tours Visiting Gwangalli Beach & Gwangan Bridge
- Where to Stay on Gwangalli Beach
- Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge in Movies and Kdramas
- Things To Do Nearby
Information about Gwangalli Beach & Gwangan Bridge
Address and Map
219, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Hours
Open year-round
Admission
- Gwangalli Beach: Free
- Gwangan Bridge: Compact Cars – ₩500 / Mid-sized vehicles – ₩1,000 / Large vehicles – ₩1,500 (Discounted rate during commuting time: weekdays 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. / 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
How to Get to Gwangalli Beach
- By Subway: Ride Line 2 (Green Line). Get off at Geumryeonsan station (금련산/210). Exit 1 or 3. Walk 600 meters (2000 feet) to the beach
- By Bus: Ride No. 41 or 42. Get off at Gwangalli Haesuyokjang (광안리 해수욕장/Gwangalli Beach) bus stop.
Parking
Paid public parking is available near Gwangalli Beach (Suyeong-gu Gwangan Public Parking and Millak Waterside Park Public Parking)
Contact
- Gwangalli Beach: Suyeong-gu +82 51-622-4251
- Gwangan Bridge: +82 1670-8114
What is the Name of Gwangalli Beach in Korean?
광안리 해수욕장 /gwang-al-li hae-su-yok-jang/: Gwangalli is the name of the area. Haesuyokjang means a beach, especially where people can swim. 광안대교 /gwang-an-dae-gyo/ is the name of Gwangan Bridge in Korean. Daegyo means a grand bridge.
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Things To Do In Gwangalli Beach
Take a lot of pictures.
Gwangalli Beach had been Busan’s second beach after Haeundae Beach for a long time. But, since Gwangan Bridge was completed, it has been one of the most popular beaches not only in Busan but also in South Korea.
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Gwangalli Beach was South Korea’s third most-visited beach in 2019. Over 12 million visitors visited the beach that year.
Gwangan Bridge makes a fantastic background for lifetime selfies or pictures of couples on Gwangalli Beach.
Although Marine City is in the Haeundae area, the view of it is better from here.
There are more than breathtaking ocean views. Many statues or street art decorate Gwangalli Themed Street. This artistic street makes the Gwangalli area more photogenic.
Watch the Gwangan Bridge Light Show.
CNN chose Gwangan Bridge as one of the 50 beautiful places to visit in South Korea. While Gwangan Bridge is an amazing landmark of Busan during the daytime, its real beauty shines at night.
The bridge is decorated with more than 7,000 LED lights and these lights can create more than a hundred thousand colors.
The time schedule for lighting is:
- Regular Lighting
- Jan-Apr & Nov-Dec: Sun-Thu (sunset to midnight), Fri & Sat (sunset to 02:00)
- May-June & Sep-Oct: Sun-Thu (sunset to 01:00), Fri & Sat (sunset to 02:00)
- Jul & Aug: every day (sunset to 02:00)
- Light Show with Music
- Everyday at 20:00, 21:00, and 22:00 for 10 minutes
- On Saturdays between March and September, the time is delayed for 30 minutes (20:30, 21:30, 22:30)
More about Gwangan Bridge
Gwangan Bridge (Gwangandaegyo) is South Korea’s longest double-deck bridge with a length of 7.42 km (4.6 miles). The bridge connects Centum City in Haeundae-gu and Namcheon-dong in Suyeong-gu.
Diamond Bridge is another name for the landmark, but I haven’t heard many Busanites call the bridge by that name.
The city of Busan completed the Gwangan Bridge in December 2002. The bridge is a toll road.
The traffic on the upper deck goes from Centum City to Namcheon-dong and the lower deck directs in the opposite direction. Interestingly, the upper deck is under the jurisdiction of Haeundae-gu and Haeundae PD and the lower deck is under Suyeong-gu and Nambu PD.
If you want to drive over Gwangan Bridge but don’t own a car or can’t rent one, try Bus No. 1006 or 1011. They are only two bus routes that go over the bridge.
See Gwangalli M Drone Light Show
Every Saturday, 600 drones fly over Gwangan Bridge and provide the audience with spectacular drone light shows. On special occasions, the number of drones reaches up to 1,500.
Gwangalli M Drone Light Show is the largest drone show in South Korea. Visitors can watch the drone light show anywhere on Gwangalli Beach.
The time schedule for Gwangalli M Drone Show is:
- Oct-Feb: 19:00 and 21:00
- Mar-Sep: 20:00 and 22:00
You can find out about the next show on its website.
Take a walk along the sandy beach.
Gwangalli Beach is 1.4km (0.9 miles) long and walking on the beach along Gwangan Bridge is enjoyable.
This area was once a fishing town and it was not considered a beach for summer visitors. As a result, the residential areas are very close to the beach.
In fact, some communities are next to the beach, unlike other beaches in Busan. Thanks to this, you will see many locals stroll, run, or walk their dogs along the promenade.
Eat fresh seafood at Millak Hoe Town
If you are a fan of raw fish or seafood (or if you are willing to try them), Millak Hoe Town is the right place for you. It is on the northeast side of Gwangalli Beach.
Gwangalli Beach area has numerous seafood restaurants (Hoejip/횟집, raw fish dish), but Millak Hoe Town has a unique way to buy fish. Here is how to order and eat seafood at Millak Hoe Town:
- On the first floor, there are many fish shops. Pick one and you can order specific fish or seafood.
- They prepare them for you on the spot.
- You pay only for fish here. They put the fish and seafood in a red bucket.
- Buy some veggies on the same floor (ask the fish shop where to buy them).
- Choose one restaurant in the building and go up there.
- You pay only for the table, rice, drinks, and spicy fish soup if you choose to have it.
Locals call this system Chojangjip (초장집). Chojang is vinegared red pepper paste. This system got its name because Chojangjip only charges for the sauce and table when you buy everything at a fish shop.
If this is all too difficult for you, don’t worry. Just find a seafood restaurant and order at the table.
Go to the Millak Waterfront Park.
Walk to the Millak Waterfront Park on the promenade from Gwangalli Beach. Millak Waterfront Park is the best spot to enjoy the view of Marine City and Gwangan Bridge at once.
This park was once one of the most popular places in Busan after the sunset. People bought raw fish and fresh seafood from seafood shops nearby. Then they bring them to the park and had drinks with them (you probably have heard of the Korean drink Soju, right?).
Few things are better than having a couple of drinks at the outdoor park while looking at the colorful Gwangan Bridge and splendid Marine City buildings. Yet, drinking alcohol at the park is now prohibited since July 2023 due to trash and loud noise at late night.
Visitors can often watch busking performances. And, the park offers space for many public events. By the way, Millak Waterfront Park is South Korea’s first waterfront park.
Go to a trendy restaurant or hip cafe.
Gwangalli Beach is 1.4 km long and more than 300 trendy cafes and restaurants are lined along the beach.
Thanks to social media growth such as Instagram and YouTube, these hip cafes and restaurants attract people not only from South Korea but globally.
Visit Millac the Market
Millac the Market is the new kids on the block in the Gwangalli Beach area. This cultural complex has become a new playground for the MZ generation.
The place has restaurants, dessert shops, cafes, clothing stores, and many more. And, don’t miss the busking square. You will love its vibrant atmosphere.
Here is Millac the Market’s Instagram Feed.
Enjoy water activities
More visitors have recently visited Gwangalli Beach thanks to a variety of marine activities. People can enjoy jet boats, bandwagons, windsurfing, and more.
Among water activities, SUP (standing-up paddleboard) is the hottest activity on Gwangalli Beach. Gwangalli Beach has a calm ocean and it makes the area perfect for SUP.
Korea Tourism Organization includes Gwangalli SUP Zone on its 100 Must-visit Tourist Spots in Korea list.
Immerse yourself in busking performance
Busking performers play music along the beach and it will make your night more romantic, more cheerful, and more melancholy.
By the way, in order to make the beach a better place for visitors and locals, smoking is not allowed over the whole beach area.
Festivals at Gwangalli Beach
Busan Fireworks Festival
Busan Fireworks Festival is one of the largest fireworks festivals in South Korea. More than one million spectators visit Gwangalli Beach to see the event every year.
Every fall, the fireworks get synchronized with music and laser lights. The whole combination creates unforgettable sceneries over Gwangan Bridge.
Besides Gwangalli Beach, spectators can watch the fireworks from Igidae, Hwangryeongsan Mountain, Dongbaek Island, and a few more locations.
Diamond Bridge Walking Festival
Gwangan Bridge is open only for vehicles so no pedestrians are allowed. However, you can walk on the bridge on some special occasions or events.
Diamond Bridge Walking Festival is an annual event that the bridge is open to participants. It is more than a walking event. A lot of performances and activities make it an annual cultural event.
FYI, on New Year’s Day, the bridge’s upper deck is open to the public so people can enjoy the very first sunrise of the year with a phenomenal view. People can see the complete scenery from Oryukdo Islands through Gwangalli Beach and Dongbaekseom Island to Dalmaji Hill in Haeundae from Gwangan Bridge.
Gwangalli Eobang Festival
Gwangalli Eobang Festival is an annual festival in April. Historically a strong relationship between the navy and fishermen was important. The festival celebrates and remembers this historical factor.
The word, ‘Eobang,’ was a fishing community combining these two groups. The festival features a variety of events like musicals, parades, guard-changing ceremonies, concerts, and more.
Busan Sea Festival
Busan Sea Festival takes place on Busan’s major beaches including Gwangalli Beach. The festival starts every first day of August and it lasts until the 9th of the same month.
Many international visitors enjoy the festival with locals. Every year people can enjoy concerts, marine sports activities, and summer night fireworks at the festival.
Website: Suyeong-gu Homepage / Gwangan Bridge Homepage
Tours Visiting Gwangalli Beach & Gwangan Bridge
Gwangalli Beach is one of the most popular destinations in Busan. Thus, many tours include Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge in their itineraries. Some on land, some by sea.
- Busan Private City Tour – 1 Day Private Van/Minibus Tour: If your budget allows, this is the most comfortable and efficient way to visit Busan’s top destinations. The itinerary can be arranged with your driver and guide for your convenience.
- Busan Night Tour with Songdo Cable Car, The Bay 101, Gwangalli Beach, and Yeongdo Seaside Park: A convenient way to see the twinkling lights of Busan’s landmarks. In addition, you can learn about Busan’s culture and history during the tour.
- Busan Ultimate Night Yacht Tour with M Drone Show: Guess what the best way to enjoy Gwangalli Beach’s Fantastic Drone Show without a big crowd. Enjoy them from the yacht! This special night tour brings you to Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge and lets you sit back and enjoy the breathtaking drone show on the romantic yacht.
- Busan Luxury Yacht Tour: A luxury yacht tour includes Gwangalli Beach, Gwangan Bridge, Dongbaek Island, and Marince City.
Where to Stay on Gwangalli Beach
Gwangalli Beach area gets quite crowded during peak seasons. But, if you plan well, it shouldn’t be too hard to get a room with a Gwangan Bridge and ocean view.
Klook.comRelated Post: Luxury Hotels in Busan, South Korea
Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge in Movies and Kdramas
By any chance, do you feel familiar with Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge? If you are a fan of Marvel Studio movies, I am not surprised that you recognize the area. The Gwangalli area and Gwangan Bridge are filming locations for Black Panther.
In addition, Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge are featured in many Korean movies and Kdramas including:
- Racket Boys (라켓소년단)
- The King: Eternal Monarch (더 킹 : 영원의 군주)
- D.P.
- Rain or Shine (그냥 사랑하는 사이)
- Hard Hit (발신제한)
- Tidal Wave (해운대)
Related Post: Filming Locations of Korean Dramas and Movies in South Korea
Things To Do Near Gwangalli Beach
If you are visiting Gwangalli Beach during springtime, don’t forget to check out Cherry Blossom Street at Samik Beach Apartment Complex in Namcheon-dong. It’s located on the southwest side of Gwangalli Beach, the opposite side of Millak Waterside Park.
The place has been on the list of the best Cherry Blossom spots in Busan for a long time. Unfortunately, the complex will go under construction soon, and we don’t know if all the cherry blossom trees will be preserved. So hurry if you want to walk under the famous cherry blossom tunnel.
If you are a history buff, Busan Museum is not very far. The museum does not have a grand scale, but it covers the history of Busan from the prehistoric period to the present. Also, it is a great spot for autumn foliage.
If you are a hiker, Igidae Coastal Walk is a great place for you, which is in a close distance.
Are you a BTS ARMY? Go visit Cafe Magnate, the cafe that Jimin’s dad owns and runs.
Complete Guide to Busan Beaches
Busan has a total of seven beautiful beaches. See the full list of them.
Hello, your country also has its own beauties, it is a handy friend, I will definitely travel to your historical and beautiful country.
Thank you~ Hope you come visit South Korea soon~